Filtration and circulation system and apparatus therefore

ABSTRACT

A balanced system for purifying aquatic media and maintaining aquatic specimens which comprises biological filtration, mechanical filtration and algae propagation.

[ 1 Dec. 30, 1975 United States Patent [1 1 Katz [54] FILTRATION ANDCIRCULATION SYSTEM AND APPARATUS THEREFORE 3,557,753 Dantoni 3,598,726Wclch...... 3,661,262

[76] Inventor: Louis N. Katz, 13415 Land OWoods Drive, St. Louis, Mo.

[22] Filed: July 10, 1974 Primary Examinerl1ugh R. Chamblee [2]] Appl.No.: 487,178 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Robert E. Wexler Related US.Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 380,228, July 18, 1973, Pat.

maintaining aquatic specimens which comprises bio- [52] US. 119/5 A01K63/00 logical filtration, mechanical filtration and algae prop agation.

[51] Int.

[58] Field of Search 19/5, 3; 47/l..4

5 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures US. Patent Dec. 30, 1975 FILTRATION ANDCIRCULATION SYSTEM AND APPARATUS THEREFORE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONMany attempts have been made to providefiltration systems for thepurification and maintenance of suitable aquaria environments, whetherof a salt water or fresh water nature. Since an aquarium contains afixed volume of water, which is used over and over again, its ecology isfragile and dependent upon many interrelated biological vectors.

An aquarium will not function in a proper manner (i.e., it will notpresent aquarium specimens with a healthful living environment) withouta balanced interplay of certain biological and biochemical systems:

a. Oxygen-Carbon Dioxide Cycle: These gases are fundamental in thesustenance of plant and animal life. Plants absorb carbon dioxide whichis necessary for photosynthesis and release oxygen for use in animalrespiration which also releases carbon dioxide for plant use. It istherefore important, in an aquarium, that there is provided meanswhereby there is an oxgen/carbon dioxide exchange for the sustenance ofsaid specimens.

b. Nitrogen Cycle: The excreta of aquatic specimens is principally inthe form of insoluble organic and inorganic waste matter and urea. Theurea is converted to soluble ammonium salts and carbon dioxide in water.Nitrifying bacteria, i.e., nitrococci and nitrate forming bacteria,combined with chemical reaction, oxidize the ammonia to nitrites (whichare toxic to aquatic specimens) and then bacterial action oxidizes thenitrites to nitrates which are utilized by plant life and which, intrun, are used as a food source by the aquatic specimens.

c. Particulate Matter: The insoluble organic and inorganic wastematerials, which are excreted by aquatic specimens and which also areformed by the natural decomposition of plant and animal tissues, must beremoved from the aquarium environment. Soluble particulate matter isconverted by bacterial action to plant and animal foods but theconcentration of such material in a fixed volume of water, such as anaquarium, must be kept carefully balanced so that the system does notbecome overloaded.

Although the use of proper aquaticplants combined with natural bacterialaction and proper mechanical filtration can provide a relativelybalanced system with proper maintenance, the problem of maintaining aproper environment for aquatic specimens in the absence of plantmaterials has recently become more important. This problem is importantto those professionals and hobbyists who do not or cannot provide thetime necessary to adequately maintain a flourishing plant colony withinthe aquarium and it has become especially important for thoseprofessionals and hobbyists who prefer to maintain marine specimens. Themaintenance of a proper plant colony in a salt water aquarium is muchgreater than that required to maintain a plant colony in a fresh wateraquarium. Further, it is preferred, many times, to exclude plantmaterial from the aquarium, even those aquariums utilizing fresh water,since it is difficult to keep the aquarium clean due to thedecomposition of plant material. Resort must be had to vacuum cleaningof the aquarium and periodically replacing the aquarium water in orderto prevent the water from becoming overloaded with PRIOR ART The priorart references which are considered pertinent to the present inventionare summarized below.

US. Pat. No. 3,314,396 discloses a device, which may be composed ofglass mesh or a plastic material, for use in an aquarium for thepropagation of algae as a nutrient medium for fresh water fish.

US. Pat. No. 3,387,587 discloses a biochemical" filter which serves tocontrol the alkalinity of aquarium water and to provide a porous surfaceconducive to the growth of nitrifying bacteria.

US. Pat. No. 3,557,753 discloses a three-component filter systemcomprising (a) a living filter of algae and plants, (b) a calcite filterand (c) a biological filter.

US. Pat. No. 3,661,262 discloses a filtration system comprising (a) aparticulate filter, (b) a biological filter and (c) a charcoal or resinfilter.

US Pat. No. 3,693,798 discloses the treatment of aquarium water wherebyan external filter and a bottom structure, designed to support a layerof gravel, is utilized. The water flow is directed to the bottom of theaquarium tank and forced upward through the sand layer. Primaryfiltration occurs in the external filter and aerobic action takes placein the main body of the aquarium.

It is apparent from the above prior art references, that filtrationsystems comprising biological and particulate filters are well known.Further, it is known to include a living filter composed of algae andplants in such system. In such systems, however, algae establishthemselves throughout the aquarium tank, i.e., on its sides and withinthe sand covering the bottom of the aquarium, and eventually impede thefunction of associated particulate and/or biological filters. Further,present methods of providing for the growth of alga are not controllableto any extent and do not provide for sufficient algae growth to supportlife, especially in marine tanks containing no other forms of plantlife. Additionally, prior art devices relating to algae growth areeither too cumbersome for practical use because of the large surfaceareas necessary for algae growth or are too small to grow sufficientalgae for practical use in an aquarium.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to provide a balanced system forpurifying and maintaining an aquarium environment, particularly in theabsence of plant life, the present invention provides a filtration andmaintenance system comprising (a) biological filter means, (b)mechanical or particulate matter filtration means and (c) unique algaepropagation means. Use of the purification and maintenance system, whichwill be hereinafter more fully described in detail, affords a means ofestablishing and maintaining a balanced aquarium system for fresh waterand marine specimens which dispenses with the need for plant life. Plantlife, of course, is expensive to obtain and difficult to maintain,especially in a marine system. There is thus provided, by the presentinvention, an improvement over the prior art in that a balanced aquariumsystem is attained through the combined effects of filtering means andalgae propagation means.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The means by which the purpose of thepresent invention is accomplished will become apparent by reference tothe accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification andwhich illustrate certain preferred embodiments of this invention and thebest mode contemplated for practicing same. In the drawings, likecharacters of reference refer to like parts.

FIG. 1 is a view of an aquarium tank provided with biological andmechanical filtration means and algae propagation means persuant to thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view taken on line 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken on line 33 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of a portion of FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A. General Construction Brieflydescribed, the present invention contemplates, with reference to FIG. 1,an aquarium tank 1 equipped with water circulation tubing 2 and a pump 3for the circulation of water through the tank and its associatedapparatus. Attached to the rear of the tank 1 is a filtration andpropagation unit 4 which contains particulate filtration means and analgae propagation chamber. Within the tank 1, and resting on the bottomthereof, is supplemental biological filtration means 5. B. FiltrationSystems The present invention is directed to the use of two filtrationsystems combined with algae propagation means to provide a balancedenvironment within the tank 1 which may be of glass, plastic, e.g.acrylic or similar transparent material. With particular reference toFIG. 2, there is provided biological filter means 5, constructedpreferably of plastic, having perforations 6 to allow for thecirculation of water through the filter into the main body of the tank.The biological filter rests in spaced relationship to the bottom of thetank 1 on support members and is covered by an aggregate material 7 suchas sand or the like. An innovation of the present invention is the useof a supplemental aggregate material 8 underneath the filter 5, suchaggregate being of larger particle size than the aggregate which restsupon the filter and within which the filter is buried. It has beendiscovered that inclusion of a porous aggregate material such ascharcoal, crushed shell, small stones, marble chips, dolomite and thelike beneath the filter 5 allows for enhanced bacterial growth and morerapid and complete oxidation of waste materials by the bacteria. A watercirculation tube 9 connected to the pump 3 via tube 11 is positionedbeneath the filter 5 and surrounded by the aggregate 8. The portion ofthe water circulation tube 9 within the tank is perforated 12 to allowmaximum circulation of water within the aggregate 8 to afford maximumbenefits.

With reference to FIG. 3, there is indicated combined unit 13 whichhouses two chambers separated by a perforated partition 14 composed ofplastic, metal or glass. The upper, filtration chamber 15 containsgranular black carbon. or other similar purification material 16 coveredwith resin fiber, spun glass wool or the like 17. The purpose of thefiltration chamber 15 is to remove particulate matter, which is nottrapped in the 4 biological filter 5, from the circulating water 18 andto deodorize it. C. Propagation System The lower chamber 19 affords thebasic innovative concept of the invention. The chamber is lined withmirrors 21, but the degree to which the chamber is lined with mirrors isoptional. Thus at least two sides of the chamber should bemirrored-lined. Additionally, the bottom and all four sides may beso-lined. Further, the perforated partition separating the upper andlower chambers of the combined unit 15 may be mirrored on its lowerside. The lower chamber 19 is filled with clear glass spheres, e.g.glass marbles 22, surrounding a centrally located light source 23. Thepurpose of the lower chamber 19 is to provide an environment for thepropagation of algae 24 which are necessary for the maintenance ofaquarium specimens, especially marine speci mens which are raised in theabsence of normal plant life.

FIG. 4 shows further detail of the lower chamber 19, i.e., the algaechamber, of combined unit 15 illustrating the inside mirrored surfaces21 thereof.

D. General Operation The tank 1 receives aqueous media via inlet tubes 2and it is distributed throughout the tank. The aqueous media entersthrough inlet pipe 9 and passes through the biological filter means 5wherein bacteria act on dissolved and suspended excreta from theaquarium specimens, converting the excreta to nitrates which are used asnutritional source by the algae 24 in the propa gation chamber 19.Additionally, a certain amount of solid waste is trapped within thebiological filter 5. The aqueous media flows upwardly through theperforations 6 in the biological filter 5, through the aggregate 7, e.g.sand, covering it, to circulate throughout the main body of the tank 1.By virtue of the partial vacuum created in the inlet tubes 2 and outlettube 25 by pump 3, which may be magnetic, the aqueous media exits thetank 1 via outlet tube 25 and enters combined unit 15 where it traversesthe top layer of particulate filter media 17, e.g. spun glass fibers,cotton, etc. and the lower layer 16, e.g. charcoal, carbon black, resinor the like and continues to flow downwardly through the perforatedpartition 14 to the algae propagation chamber 19 which is lined withmirrored surfaces 21, completely filled with clear glass spheres 22 andilluminated by a centrally located light source 23'. The glass sphereswithin the algae propagation chamber serve a dual purpose: the surfacearea provided by the spheres 22 provides a much greater growing area forthe algae 24 than has heretofore been available and the clear material,e.g. glass, plastic, of which the spheres are composed allows forconduction of light throughout all areas of the chamber. The glassspheres should generally have a minimum diameter of approximately onefourthinch. In general, the maximum size of the transparent spheres isdependent on the size of the contemplated aquarium, the number and typeof fish, etc. Extremely large spheres are impractical while smallerspheres tend to become too tightly compacted for good algae growth andwould restrict circulation. Further, the mirrored walls, top and bottomof the chamber 19 provide for further reflectance of light throughoutthe chamber. By virtue of the special and innovative construction of thealgae propagation chamber in combination with the described filters,applicant is able to provide algae growth and aqueous media purificationsufficient to support two to three times the normal density of aquaticspecimens for a given area. The algae in the propagation chamber serveto convert nitrates to vegetable protein which is then circulatedthroughout the tank 1 and utilized as a nutritional source for theaquatic specimens. Additionally, second and third generation algae arecontinually sloughed from the spheres and are circulated for additionalnutritional value. The amount of algae grown can be regulated by theamount and intensity of light transmission within the propagationchamber 19 as well as by the amount of mirrored surfaces presented andthe volume of spheres utilized. It has been discovered, in accordancewith this invention, that the amount and direction of the light withinthe propagation chamber is important for the uniform, controlled growthof algae. To this end, all mirrored surfaces must be parallel to thelight source and the various factors regulating algae growth should becontrolled so as to afford a 5-6 millimeter thickness of algae on theglass spheres. Thicker growth of algae will tend to reduce thetransmission of light throughout the filter.

Due to the efficient algae propagation chamber of the invention, theaquatic specimens are maintained in excellent health for the reasonsheretofore described and because of the newly discovered absorption oftrace elements, normally lost, by the algae and ingestion of the algaeby the aquatic specimens. It has further been recently discovered thatthe most efficient algae are those which require a substrate, ratherthan free-floating algae.

Accordingly, upon passing through the algae propagation chamber, thecirculating aqueous media provides nutrition for the algae in the formof soluble excreta, and carries a certain amount of algae growth intothe tank for nutrition of aquatic specimens.

With regard to water circulation through the system, it should beunderstood that, with minor tubing modifications, the circulation ofaqueous media may be reversed from the flow discussed above.

The combined unit is preferably composed of a dark material, such asblack plastic and the like in order to prevent outside light fromentering the algae chamber 19. In this manner, the light within chamber19 is precisely controlled. The light source 23 for 6 chamber 19 ispreferably incandescent although flourescent light is suitable.

As a practical illustration of the benefits afforded by the invention, a65 gallon marine tank was equipped with the filtration and propagationsystem of the invention. The tank functioned for nearly three yearswithout disruption. The pH was naturally stable and nitrite readingswere consistently below lppm. The population consisted of 46 inches offish and six heads of live coral. The water returned to the tank fromthe algae propagation chamber was polished and nitrite-free.

While the invention has been described by referring to certain specificembodiments, it is not so limited since many modifications are possiblein the light of the above teachings. The invention may therefore bepracticed otherwise than as specifically described without departingfrom the spirit and scope thereof.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. An aquarium comprising a tank for containing aquatic specimens, saidtank being filled with suitable aquatic medium;

a biological filter positioned within said tank, said filter beingperforated and covered by aggregate;

a combined unit comprising a particulate filtration chamber and an algaepropagation chamber, said chambers being separated by a perforatedpartition; and

means for circulating said medium throughout said tank and through saidbiological filter and said combined unit.

2. An aquarium as defined in claim 1 wherein said aquatic medium is saltwater.

3. An aquarium as defined in claim 1 wherein said biological filter iscovered with aggregate material and encloses larger aggregate material.

4. An aquarium as defined in claim 1 wherein said particulate filtrationchamber in said combined unit contains at least one filtration material.

5. An aquarium as defined in claim 1 wherein said algae propagationchamber contains clear spheres surrounding a light source.

1. An aquarium comprising a tank for containing aquatic specimens, saidtank being filled with suitable aquatic medium; a biological filterpositioned within said tank, said filter being perforated and covered byaggregate; a combined unit comprising a particulate filtration chamberand an algae propagation chamber, said chambers being separated by aperforated partition; and means for circulating said medium throughoutsaid tank and through said biological filter and said combined unit. 2.An aquarium as defined in claim 1 wherein said aquatic medium is saltwater.
 3. An aquarium as defined in claim 1 wherein said biologicalfilter is covered with aggregate material and encloses larger aggregatematerial.
 4. An aquarium as defined in claim 1 wherein said particulatefiltration chamber in said combined unit contains at least onefiltration material.
 5. An aquarium as defined in claim 1 wherein saidalgae propagation chamber contains clear spheres surrounding a lightsource.